Stop Expecting Work to Make You Happy
* This blog post was co-created with AI, using my transcript. My aim is for the blog to be as verbatim as possible, so you’re in contact with me not the robots! Using AI means the blog can exist in the first place so it’s a use that works for me right now!
Any thoughts, let me know!
Hello, and welcome back to Blueprints to Becoming. So, so nice to have you here.
Today we’re talking about work versus hobbies when it comes to life satisfaction. There’s a growing narrative around building a purposeful business or following your passion for your career. And while I agree that we need to get something of value beyond money out of the thing we spend most of our hours doing, I don’t believe the only way we can find satisfaction is through our work.
In fact, the more pressure we put on ourselves for our careers to deliver all of our life satisfaction, the harder it becomes to feel content with what we have—and to feel satisfied with our work.
Why Defining the Function of Work Matters
What the function of work is in your life is deeply personal and unique to you. We don’t often take the time to investigate that. Why do you work? Yes, money and meeting your needs matter, but beyond that—is it about contributing to society? Finding meaning? Making an impact? Stability and structure?
For me, work is about connection. One reason I do this show is to be in connection with you. I love coaching because it offers a deep experience of flow and connection. I also work to make an impact and a difference. In my corporate days, one thing I loved was problem solving—making complicated things simple gave me huge satisfaction.
To clarify your own definition, I recommend The Work Manifesto from Design Your Life—a fantastic tool I use with clients.
Why Work Satisfaction Isn’t the Same as Joy
Finding satisfaction in work is different from finding joy. Work fulfillment might come from problem solving, collaboration, creating something new, or mastering skills. But “so much fun” experiences—those moments of pure joy—are usually different.
I’ve been exploring this idea through Catherine Price’s book The Power of Fun and her research into what creates fun. She asked people to recall the last time they had so much fun. It made me notice when I say that phrase myself—and to ask, what exactly made it so much fun?
Fun Rarely Comes from Work
True fun, where you lose track of time, is rarely experienced at work. Even in film and corporate roles, I wouldn’t have described my best days as “so much fun.” They were satisfying, adventurous, and often enjoyable—but fun? Not quite.
For me, so much fun happens when I’m dancing—whether in a class or out at a club. It happens outdoors: picnics in warm weather, festivals with music and friends, and time in nature with my dog and husband. Those are the experiences that light me up.
Finding Your “So Much Fun” Formula
I’d love for you to think about your own “so much fun” activities. If we were talking right now, and I asked you the last time you had so much fun, what would you say? Once you have your answer, identify the ingredients—because they’re probably different from what makes your work fulfilling.
Remember: the things we need for satisfying work are often different from the things that create joy and richness in our lives overall.
Your Task for Today
- Define the function of work in your life—beyond earning money.
- Identify your personal fun formula—the activities and ingredients that bring you pure joy.
- Protect time for those activities and treat them like they matter—because they do.
I’d love to hear your “so much fun” stories. If you’re on Spotify, leave a comment. On Apple, drop it in a review. Or find me on LinkedIn—my DMs are always open.
Next Week on the Podcast
We’ll talk about a big career question many of my clients face: whether to keep going or pivot. Can you make it work, or is it time to do something completely different? It’s a tough call, and I’ll help you unpack it.
Until then—protect your joy, and remember: you’ve got this. I believe in you.
